Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-23

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below shows the change in some household types in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The provided table depicts the alternations in some types of households in Great Britain between 1971 and 2007.

Overall, It can be seen that couple with dependent children showed the highest percentage ratio over the given period, followed by non-children category, which came second. Lone parent and one person were the only types of households where people represented the lowest percentage.

Looking at the details, In 1971, only 6% people lived as a single person, while their number of percentage increased by 2007, to 12%. However, in one-family households the couple with dependent children illustrated the highest percentage at beginning of the period, to 52%, while it dropped to 41% in 1991, and finally 36% by 2007. Initially, 19% of people lived without children, it rose over the time, accounting for 25% in the last seven years.

Subsequently, couple with non-dependent children showed a significant change, from 1971 to 1981 just 10% of couple lived with non-dependent children; it decreased to 9% in 2007. Lone parent was the category with the least percentage at starting, it increased to significant amount, making up 12% by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all key features of the data, including the trends for various household types. You successfully identified the main trends, such as the decline in couples with dependent children and the rise in single-person households. However, the analysis is slightly hampered by some inaccurate reporting of the data. For instance, you mention that lone parents were the category with the 'least percentage at starting,' but the data shows that 'one person' households were actually lower in 1971. Additionally, the phrasing 'last seven years' is an imprecise way to refer to the end of the period in 2007. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are cited with absolute precision and that comparisons are clearly linked to the specific years provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall,' 'Looking at the details,' and 'Subsequently' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing or mechanical transitions. For example, the transition 'Subsequently' is used to introduce a new paragraph, but the connection between the previous paragraph and the new information is not entirely smooth. Furthermore, some sentences are slightly disjointed, such as the list of percentages in the second paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'depicts,' 'alternations,' 'percentage ratio,' and 'accounting for.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'alternations' is used incorrectly; 'changes' or 'trends' would be more appropriate. The phrase 'number of percentage' is redundant and unnatural. Additionally, 'at starting' should be 'at the start' or 'initially.' While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise lexical items that would allow for a higher score. Focusing on accurate collocations will help improve your precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt to use complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect readability. For example, 'couple with dependent children' should be pluralized as 'couples.' There are also issues with article usage ('the' is missing before 'couple') and prepositional errors, such as 'at beginning of the period' instead of 'at the beginning.' Punctuation is generally functional, but some comma splices and run-on structures occur. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as these errors are persistent throughout the text.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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